Two Rivers' Sustainable Housing Awards double-whammy

Published by Jenny George for Two Rivers Housing in Housing and also in Environment

Two Rivers Housing has been shortlisted for two Sustainable Housing awards in the Sustainable smaller development of the year AND Social housing provider of the year – Innovative approach to green homes categories of The Sustainable Housing Awards 2010, organised by Inside Housing magazine and its sister publication Sustainable Housing.

Electing to build to the Code for Sustainable Homes level 4 and above, higher than the industry standard requires, Two Rivers has demonstrated its commitment to providing quality homes that are energy efficient and sustainable. Over 300 new homes have been completed within the Gloucestershire and Herefordshire regions since 2003 and more than 125 homes are on the programme for 2010/11.

The housing association has also pledged to cut its carbon emissions by 10% this year as part of a high profile regional eco-campaign organised by Gloucestershire Media, Gloucestershire 10:10.

This awards scheme focuses on the best “green” social housing projects constructed in the UK, and the organisations responsible for them. The trophies will be presented at a suitably “eco” awards ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in London’s Park Lane on Friday 22nd October.

Ted Stevens, Inside Housing’s events director, and the organiser of the awards said: “We’ve had a terrific response, with hundreds of entries and Two Rivers Housing has done brilliantly to get shortlisted from such a huge field. Britain is leading the way on sustainable housing and innovative building techniques so we’re delighted we’re able to organise a ceremony to reward that organisations that are delivering best practice”.

Garry King, Chief Executive of Two Rivers added:
“We’re delighted to have been shortlisted for these prestigious awards, and even more proud to have been recognised in two categories this year.

It’s our goal to provide quality affordable homes that meet the needs of our communities now and in the future. Our work has involved extensive research into the cost of living particularly in terms of energy usage. We have been able to apply the results of this research to enhance the energy performance of our properties, build greener and incorporate new and exciting alternative technologies, such as ground source heat pumps, to help reduce our tenants household bills.”

Last year nearly 500 people attended the event, which was hosted by channel 4’s news anchorman Jon Snow, and in 2008 Alistair MacGowan was the master of ceremonies. This year’s event is expected to be hosted by comedian, actor and keen climate change campaigner Marcus Brigstocke.

The sponsors of the awards include Mitie, United House, Profile 22, H + H Celcon, Sustainable Homes, The Resourcing Group, NHBC, Willmott Dixon Group and Breyer Group.

If you want to find out more about the awards, the judges and each of the finalists go to insidehousing.co.uk and click on the events section.